Hamilton Girls Win Fifth Consecutive Game

ELMSFORD, N.Y. -- The Alexander Hamilton varsity girls’ basketball team has put itself in position to achieve a season’s goal when it next takes the court.

The Red Raiders, led by Maia Hood’s 19 points, defeated visiting Rye Neck, 65-25 in a league game Monday for their fifth consecutive win. Hamilton, now 15-2, will host Blind Brook Thursday on Senior Night. The team has an opportunity to complete the league schedule undefeated and take the title.

“We haven’t won a league title since the 80s.” said Hood, who also had 12 rebounds and two assists.

Winning a league title would add to what has been an excellent season for Hamilton. Last month, Hood became the third Hamilton girl to achieve 1,000 varsity points.

“When I started playing varsity in eighth grade, I never thought I would get 1,000 points,” said the humble Hood, who is a junior. “It was actually really exciting, however, I could not have done it without my teammates.”

Hood led three starters in double digits as point guard Jasmine Robinson finished with 14 points and eight assists and Ayanna Behagan had 12 points and six steals.

The Red Raiders have been cruising since a loss to Ossining, one of the elite Class AA teams in New York. Their only other loss was to Newburgh Free Academy. The two Class AA schools are part of a non-league schedule, which included other Class AA and Class A schools.

“In the Ossining game we were down a lot, but we came back and got it to nine points,” Hood said. “We played hard and played together as a team.”

Hamilton demonstrated its teamwork against Rye Neck. The Red Raiders used quick ball movement and constant motion against Rye Neck’s zone.

“We feel we have great team chemistry,” Hood said. “We work hard in practice and it shows on the court.”

Paige O’Donnell led Rye Neck with nine points.

Rye Neck 7 10 4 4 -- 25 Hamilton 21 12 22 10 -- 65

Rye Neck (25) -- Lauren Bradley 0-0-0, Elena Hurlbut 1-0-2, Paige O’Donnell 3-3-9, Kristin Tamucci 2-0-5, Marisa Bella 2-0-4, Juliette D’Errico 0-0-0, Sarah Cochrane 1-1-3, Julie Bilotta 1-0-2, Rio McGuire 0-0-0. Totals: 10-4-25. Hamilton (65) -- Ayanna Behagan 5-2-12, Amani Lightbourne 4-0-8, Maia Hood 8-2-19, Jasmine Robinson 6-2-14, DeJanne Johnson 0-0-0, Maya Scott 0-0-0, Kali Gill 2-0-4, Nevline Petitfort 1-0-2, Erika Jones 2-0-4, Donasia Farmer 1-0-2. Totals: 29-6-65. 3-point goals -- RN: Tamucci; AH: Hood.

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